Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway: Little Writer (Marmee's Girls #1) by Marina Hill

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Little Writer by Marina Hill. This book tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book as well as a guest post from the author about which historical fiction world she'd like to visit. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the rest of the stops on the tour for more content. Enjoy!

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Title: Little Writer

Series: Marmee's Girls #1

Author: Marina Hill

Publisher: Evergreen Books

Publication Date: November 1st 2022

Print Length: 236 pages 

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction

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A retelling of the classic coming-of-age story Little Women through the intimate lens of Jo March.

It's 1862 and fifteen-year-old Jo March would rather be fighting in the war, like her papa, than improving her knitting skills on the home front. But societal conventions for the "gentle" woman-and her steadfast adoration for her three sisters-force Jo to stay behind and support the family, all the while rolling her eyes at Aunt March and daydreaming of becoming a famous author.

At home, love abounds in the March girls' lives in the form of family, friendship, patriotism, religion, and-to Jo's chagrin-romance. As each sister navigates their ascent into adulthood, Jo unwittingly ventures down a path of self-realization, using her gift of written prose to craft her voice, and thus, her truth. Perhaps, just maybe, she can strike balance between the freedom of independence and the warmth of partnership...

In this visionary adaptation, Little Writer tells the March sisters' timeless journey to womanhood with a multiracial cast of characters, reimagining history to include diverse communities without elaboration.

Goodreads * Amazon * Apple Books *

Barnes & Noble * Book Depository *

Books-A-Million * Bookshop * Booktopia *

Half Price Books * IndieBound * Indigo *

Kobo * Thrift Books * Walmart

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EXCERPT:

When spring rolls around, my sisters and I love to stay outside.

One blossoming afternoon, while I’m in the coop to feed the chickens, I spot Laurie, Beth, and Amy around the redbud tree. Laurie latches onto a branch to shake the tree loose of any lingering magenta petals. Flowers begin raining on Beth and Amy, who lock hands and spin together. Their skirts fly about them and I smile at their girlish laughter.

Once I return to feeding the animals, Laurie appears behind me. “What d’you have there?”

“Teddy! Come in. I want you to meet my chicken, Aunt Cockle-top.” I point to her and, though Laurie enters the coop, he says far from the roaming animals.

“Please keep that from me,” he says, shaking some magenta flower petals from his curls as he skirts away.

“Don’t be afraid,” I exclaim, cleaning my hands on my linen apron before scooping up Aunt Cockle-top. She flaps her wings.

Teddy stumbles backward. “Jo!”

“She’s just a chicken. Face your fears!” I haul Aunt Cockle-top into the air toward him.

He yelps and loses his footing without trying to catch her. My chicken falls on top of him and he screeches, “She bit me!” to send me into a deep laughing fit.

“Josephine!” Marmee’s scolding voice startles me. My laughter is slow to dissipate as she brings a whimpering Laurie inside.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marina Hill is a writer with a keen interest in all things undiscovered. She grew up in the New Jersey side of Philadelphia, watching Eagles games and roughhousing with her plethora of older brothers. She attended Baruch College in NYC and has over a dozen publications of her other works. If she isn’t daydreaming about her next story, she’s studying history or yearning to dash into the forest, build a farm, and never look back. Marina never lives in one spot for too long and loves to travel with her dog.

Website * Goodreads * Instagram

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GUEST POST:

- Which historical fiction world would you love to visit if you could and why?

This is never a simple question for people in marginalized communities, especially when their identity already has such a big impact on what the trajectory of their life looks like. We can only ever speak of it in aesthetic terms, for the abusive excuse “that’s just what it was like back then” has a much different meaning for minorities, more specifically double and triple minorities.

Part of why I wrote Little Writer is because most historical worlds I read enslave and/or abuse people who look like me. And I understand that it’s history, but I can’t appreciate the aesthetics as much as my white counterparts.

I would certainly stay within the realm of Little Writer because it’s my most secured avenue of a happy, safe life.

If I were to forgo reality entirely, I would want to visit the world of BBC’s Merlin. The accuracy isn’t there, but the vibes are immaculate! I would definitely be a witch.

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GIVEAWAY:

Marina Hill will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!

(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility over this giveaway.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway